IMPACT OF RICE HUSK BIOCHAR AND INORGANIC NITROGEN FERTILIZER COMBINATIONS ON YIELD OF MAIZE IN COASTAL SAVANNAH OF GHANA
IMPACT OF RICE HUSK BIOCHAR AND INORGANIC NITROGEN FERTILIZER COMBINATIONS ON YIELD OF MAIZE IN COASTAL SAVANNAH OF GHANA
Gbefo Francis, Attiga Antoinette, Ankutse David
*Corresponding author E-mail: fgbefo3@gmail.com
1Gbefo Francis, Department of Science, Peki College of Education, P.O Box 14, Peki, Ghana.
2Attiga Antoinette, Department of Science, Peki College of Education, P.O Box 14, Peki, Ghana.
3Ankutse David, Department of Science, Accra College of Education, P.O Box 221, Legon-Accra, Ghana
| A R T I C L E I N F O
Article Type: Research Received: 03, December.2021. Accepted: 07, March.2022. Published: 07, March.2022.
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A B S T R A C T
The continuous soil fertility decline globally possesses a great threat to food security. Thus requiring fertilizer as well as other integrated soil fertility management options to improve the soil health and increase crop productivity. Biochar is considered a potential remedy to soil fertility loss. This study, therefore, provides a novel insight into the effects of rice husk (RHB) and N-fertilizer (urea) applications at different rates on grain yield, total above-ground biomass, and NUE of Obatanpa maize cultivar. The experiment was a factorial trials arranged in RCBD. Three levels of N fertilizer were applied (0, 45 and 90 kg ha-1) with and without biochar (10 t ha-1) on (Obatanpa) maize variety with 3 different planting dates. A total of 45 kg ha-1 of P and K in the form of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Potassium Chloride (KCl) respectively were applied as basal application. Results revealed that the application of inorganic Nitrogen or in a combination of biochar significantly (P < 0.05) increased grain and biomass yields. Interaction between biochar and N fertilizer increased agronomic N efficiency at low N application rates (45N kg ha-1) for all 3 planting dates. The results from this study suggest that rice husk biochar amendment and N fertilization have the potential to enhance soil nutrient availability and increase maize yield. The combined application of 10 t ha-1 BC and 45N kg ha-1 (urea) fertilizer is hereby recommended as a sustainable soil fertility management option for maize production in the coastal savanna region of Ghana. |
| Keywords:
Rice husk biochar; Grain yield; Total biomass; Calcic Vertisol: Coastal Savanna
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